(CIN or B-) - A numerical measure of the strength of "capping," typically used to assess thunderstorm potential. Specifically, it represents the cumulative effect of atmospheric layers the
are warmer than the parcel moving vertically along the adiabat. Low level parcel ascent is often
inhibited by such stable layers near the surface. If natural processes fail to destabilize the lower
levels, an input of energy from forced lift (a front, an upper level shortwave, etc.) will be required
to move the negatively buoyant air parcels to the point where they will rise freely. Since CIN is proportional to the amount of kinetic energy that a parcel loses to buoyancy while it is colder than the surrounding environment, it contributes to the downward momentum.

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